CVE-2024-20362 in Small Business RV Series Router
Summary
by MITRE • 04/03/2024
A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco Small Business RV016, RV042, RV042G, RV082, RV320, and RV325 Routers could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to conduct a cross-site scripting (XSS) attack against a user of the interface.
This vulnerability is due to insufficient input validation by the web-based management interface. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by persuading a user to visit specific web pages that include malicious payloads. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary script code in the context of the affected interface or access sensitive, browser-based information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/05/2025
This cross-site scripting vulnerability affects Cisco Small Business routers including RV016, RV042, RV042G, RV082, RV320, and RV325 models that expose web-based management interfaces. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the web interface components that process user-supplied data. Attackers can craft malicious web pages containing XSS payloads that, when visited by authenticated users interacting with the router management interface, execute unauthorized scripts in the victim's browser context. This vulnerability represents a critical security weakness that undermines the integrity of the router's administrative interface and potentially compromises the entire network infrastructure. The attack vector requires user interaction through malicious web pages, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may inadvertently click on compromised links or visit malicious websites.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 Cross-site Scripting, specifically targeting the web application layer of the router's management interface. According to ATT&CK framework, this represents T1566.001 Initial Access: Spearphishing Attachment, where attackers deliver malicious payloads through web-based vectors. The insufficient input validation allows malicious scripts to be injected into the web interface, potentially enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the authenticated user. This could lead to session hijacking, data exfiltration, or further lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution as it could allow attackers to modify router configurations, access sensitive network information, or establish persistent access points within the network infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe for organizations relying on these Cisco routers for network security. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to router management functions, potentially leading to complete network compromise. The unauthenticated nature of the attack means that no credentials are required to initiate the exploit, making it particularly dangerous for environments where network administrators regularly access management interfaces from potentially compromised devices. Successful exploitation could result in network traffic interception, configuration changes that weaken security posture, or the establishment of backdoor access points. Organizations may face regulatory compliance violations and significant security breaches if this vulnerability is exploited in production environments.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate network segmentation and access control measures to limit exposure. Organizations should implement network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Cisco has released security advisories and firmware updates addressing this vulnerability, which should be applied immediately across all affected router models. Network administrators should also implement web application firewalls and content filtering solutions to prevent access to malicious web pages. Regular security assessments and user education programs should be established to reduce the risk of successful social engineering attacks that exploit this vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should consider disabling web management interfaces when not actively required and implement multi-factor authentication for router access where supported. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web applications and the necessity of regular security updates for network infrastructure devices.